The passing of the candle’s flame from one student to another
The crown Neil wears
Shots of birds flying
The open window
Four Pillars of Welton Academy
one candle burning at the beginning of the movie
the passing of the candle’s flame from one student to another
crown of thorns
snow
open window
vomit in the snowThe snow is pure and white: it represents innocence. The vomit represents the loss of innocence
candle being lit symbolizes knowledge, which is backed up by the boys' school uniform. The darkness of the room is also symbolic of the boys' unhappiness. The candle may also be symbolic of the light to guide them out of their misery, which is Mr. Keating, who appears in the following scene, which incorporates symbolic, technical and audio codes to establish setting and characters. flags carried are symbolic of ancient times and tradition Bagpipes are being played, which symbolize the very religious and traditional Scotsmen and Irishmen.
"The symbolic frame focuses on how humans make sense of the chaotic, ambiguous world in which they live" (Bolman & Deal, 2008, p. 248). Symbols defined in the film include:
Myths:
Four Pillars Banner(Tradition, Honor, Discipline and Excellence) – Characterizes the value of Welton Academy.
The myth of the existence of the former Dead Poets Society - becames a symbol of resistance and freedom for the students
Vision:
Single Candle - the "light of knowledge" representing the image of the future.
Keating standing on desk – The vision offers a mental picture for the students to look at things a different way by linking historical and core precepts to future events (p. 255).
Values:
Photographs of past students – Demonstrates legacy, history, tradition to create a shared vision to illuminate new possibilities surrounding the myths and values - “seize the day” (p. 255).
Reading first pages of poetry book (preferred traditional method of teaching) - Discipline in learning the foundation of understanding poetry.
Heroes and Heroines:
Ripping out first pages of poetry book (unorthodox method of teaching) - Keating encouraging students to think and appreciate poetry for themselves.
Students standing on the desk - Represents unity of the students’, thinking for themselves and support of Mr. Keating.
Neal’s participation in play – Courage to realize his dream in acting without the support of parents.
Stories, Fairy Tales, and Rituals:
The Indian Cave - Served as a private place for Dead Poet Society to congregate to eat, smokes, tell stories and read poetry.
Todd Anderson’s verbal poem where he describes the blanket as never being enough (Todd feeling he can never please his parents) - represents Todd’s ritual of initiation and fusing into the student group of Keating supporters
Ceremony:
Opening day of school - The head master marching students in with banner and single candle established order, clarity and predictability to reassure and convey message to parents, teachers, administrators and board members.
Crown on Neal's head- Represents his suicide, his reality, a time of transition.
Todd Anderson signing the paper condemning Keating with his parents present represents a type of ceremony each of the students endured -symbolizing the underlying theme that the students were always pressured to conform to their parents’ wishes
- Film Techniques and the Use of Symbolism: Dead Poets Society
- ** The Four Pillars of Welton Academy
- One candle burning at the beginning of the movie
- The passing of the candle’s flame from one student to another
- The crown Neil wears
- Shots of birds flying
- The open window
- Four Pillars of Welton Academy
- one candle burning at the beginning of the movie
- the passing of the candle’s flame from one student to another
- crown of thorns
- snow
- open window
- vomit in the snowThe snow is pure and white: it represents innocence. The vomit represents the loss of innocence
candle being lit symbolizes knowledge, which is backed up by the boys' school uniform. The darkness of the room is also symbolic of the boys' unhappiness. The candle may also be symbolic of the light to guide them out of their misery, which is Mr. Keating, who appears in the following scene, which incorporates symbolic, technical and audio codes to establish setting and characters.flags carried are symbolic of ancient times and tradition
Bagpipes are being played, which symbolize the very religious and traditional Scotsmen and Irishmen.
"The symbolic frame focuses on how humans make sense of the chaotic, ambiguous world in which they live" (Bolman & Deal, 2008, p. 248). Symbols defined in the film include:
Myths:
Vision:
Values:
Heroes and Heroines:
Stories, Fairy Tales, and Rituals:
Ceremony:
http://groupfilm.wikispaces.com/SYMBOLIC+ANALYSIS